Following reports of a number of escaped farmed salmon entering local rivers flowing into Killary Harbour, local activist groups have labelled the event as an 'environmental disaster', which could have extensive repercussions.
According to activist group, Salmon Watch Ireland (SWI ), the farmed salmon reportedly escaped following a collision between a fish farm boat and the salmon cages in Mannin Bay Salmon Company's farm in Killary Harbour on Sunday, August 11. SWI state that the impact resulted in an 'escape of farmed salmon numbering over 10 thousand fish', but that this figure may underestimate of the true number of fish that escaped. Ranging between 1.5kg to 2kg in weight, SWI reported that as of August 15, 'large numbers' of the salmon could be seen throughout Killary Harbour.
Since October 2023, the listed as the owners of the fish farm license for the Mannin Bay Salmon Company-operated salmon farm is Docon Limited from Mulranny, Co Mayo.
According to local activist group, Galway Bay Against Salmon Cages (GBASC ) nine escaped farmed salmon were caught on the Erriff, with a further six fish spotted but later lost and two escaped salmon have been caught in Delphi. The group goes on to state that a number of the salmon have been 'caught by tourists fishing for mackerel' in the area, and are in 'very poor condition and are obviously diseased'.
IFI not 'formally informed' of the escape
Following reports of the escaped salmon in local waterways, State environment agency, the Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI ), stated that it was 'not formally notified of the escape' despite the statutory requirement for such incidences to be reported to the IFI within 24 hours of escape. Instead, the IFI says it 'became aware of the incident early last week'.
In a statement issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on Tuesday, August 20, the department states that had it received notification regarding the escape on Tuesday, August 13. The date of this notification surpasses the 24 hour statutory requirement for reporting such incidences.
"The Department received notification from the Licensee on 13 August that there had been an escape of salmon from one cage at a site licensed to Docon Ltd in Killary Harbour. The Licensee has advised that the damaged cage has been repaired. The Department’s Marine Engineering Division is currently preparing a report on the incident."
Detrimental impact
Describing the escaped populations impact on wild salmon and sea trout as being potentially 'devastating', GBASC has taken particular umbrage with 'misinformation' shared by some regarding the incident, in particular what it describes as 'untrue' reporting regarding the number of escaped salmon.
"When thousands of diseased farmed salmon escapes, it is not an 'insignificant' occurrence as these escapees could devastate whole populations of wild salmon and sea trout in our rivers," stated GBASC.
These concerns have been echoed by IFI, with the agency stating that it has since made contact with local fishery owners and angling clubs regarding the incident and 'continue to monitor for any escaped fish at local rivers' and its research trapping facility in the National Salmonid Index Catchment in the River Erriff.
"IFI remains concerned about the impacts of salmon farming, including such issues as escapes and sea lice on our wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout stocks - whose continued sustainability remains under threat from a range of pressures," said a spokesperson for the IFI.
"Escaped farmed salmon are detrimental to wild salmon stocks through interbreeding, which can impact the health and diversity of wild salmon populations.
“The nearby Erriff and Delphi (Bundorragha ) wild salmon and sea trout stocks in particular have been negatively impacted over a long period by sea lice associated with salmon farming."
Warning local anglers
Both GBASC and IFI have warned local anglers to remain vigilant for escaped salmon while fishing in the region, with GBASC highlighting that any caught farmed salmon should not be eaten due to concerns regarding the health and potential presence of antibiotics or 'toxic pesticides'.
“If local anglers catch farmed salmon, a blue salmon gill tag must be placed in the fish and this can be replaced by IFI when surrendered to staff," advised an IFI spokesperson."
